Quashnet River Walk and Salter Book Talk

Quashnet River Walk and Salter Book Talk

Tuesday, October 6
9:30AM – 12:30PM

Join author Thomas R. Pero at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for the release of his new book Salter: The improbable return of the magical sea-run brook trout to the little rivers of Cape Cod, followed by a guided hike along the Quashnet River with Francis H. Smith.  Salter celebrates a half century of successful restoration of wild trout habitat on the Quashnet River, the principal—and critical— freshwater artery to Waquoit Bay.  “This remarkable story started on a bright spring day in 1976,” says the author. “When a group of volunteers who wanted to do something good for the trout gathered at Martin Road. We were led by Francis Smith—a river hero if there ever was one.”

A slideshow narrated by Smith will trace the whole 50-year history of the Quashnet’s rebirth from overgrown abandoned cranberry bog to superb wild salter brook trout stream. Pero will read selected passages from his book.  This is a unique opportunity to meet in person the man who made is all happen—and follow him up his beloved river to see what real river restoration looks like.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Thomas R. Pero organized the original Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which spawned the Quashnet River project. He served as award-winning editor of Trout Magazine for 16 years.

ABOUT YOUR RIVER GUIDE: Francis H. Smith is a retired career plumber from Falmouth. For 50 years, practically every week of every month, he has been in waders in the Quashnet River, leading and coordinating habitat work that made him nationally famous.

This event will meet at the Waquoit Bay Reserve Visitor Center for the book reading. Participants will then transport themselves to the trailhead of the Quashnet River Trail (approximate address: 62 Martin Road, East Falmouth.) and walk 3-miles along a flat open trail.

Questions? Contact: Sonia Ahrabi-Nejad, Education Coordinator at sonia.ahrabi-nejad@mass.gov